Honestly, if you try to track the career of Cordarrelle Patterson, you’re basically looking at a map of the modern NFL. Most guys stick to one spot or fade out after three years. Not "CP." He's the ultimate survivor. He has played for six different franchises across twelve seasons, which is wild when you think about how many first-round "busts" disappear before their rookie deal even ends.
People search for cordarrelle patterson dates joined because his timeline is a bit of a mess if you aren't paying close attention. He wasn't just a journeyman; he was a guy who kept reinventing himself. From a "pure" wide receiver in Minnesota to the greatest kick returner ever, and then suddenly a 600-yard rusher in his 30s? That doesn't happen.
The Minnesota Era: Where it All Started
It feels like a lifetime ago, but the Minnesota Vikings traded up to get him. April 25, 2013. That’s the date he officially entered the league as the 29th overall pick. He didn't actually sign the paperwork until July 25, 2013, which was pretty standard back then for first-rounders.
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The hype was massive. He was this 6'2", 220-pound freak of nature out of Tennessee.
In Minnesota, he was "The Flash." He spent four seasons there (2013–2016). He had that 109-yard return against the Packers that basically broke the internet before we used that phrase for everything. But the Vikings didn't really know how to use him on offense. They wanted him to be Randy Moss. He was more like a human bowling ball. When they declined his fifth-year option in May 2016, the writing was on the wall. He became a free agent on March 9, 2017.
Moving West and the Belichick Experiment
The Raiders jumped in next. Patterson signed with the Oakland Raiders on March 13, 2017. It was a two-year, $8.5 million deal, but he only lasted one. Why? Because Bill Belichick saw something no one else did.
The Patriots traded a fifth-round pick for him on March 19, 2018.
This is where the "dates joined" stuff gets interesting. Most fans forget he was only in New England for one calendar year. But in that year, he won a Super Bowl. Belichick started putting him in the backfield as a literal running back. It was weird. It was effective. He had 42 carries that year, which was more than he’d had in the previous three years combined.
The Windy City and the Atlanta Renaissance
After the Super Bowl ring, Patterson headed to Chicago. He signed with the Bears on March 13, 2019.
- Contract: 2 years, $10 million.
- Role: Pure Special Teams Ace.
- The Result: Two more All-Pro nods.
He was the best in the world at returning kicks, but the offense still felt like a "maybe next week" situation. That changed when he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on April 15, 2021. This is the date that changed his legacy.
In Atlanta, under Arthur Smith, he wasn't a "gadget" anymore. He was the guy. He signed a one-year, $3 million "prove it" deal. He proved it so hard they gave him a two-year, $10.5 million extension on March 22, 2022. He spent three years there (2021–2023), becoming the oldest player in NFL history to have a breakout season at a brand-new position.
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The Final Act (So Far): Pittsburgh
Most recently, the cordarrelle patterson dates joined saga led him to the Steel City. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 26, 2024.
It was a two-year, $6 million deal. The timing was perfect—the NFL had just changed the kickoff rules to the "dynamic kickoff," and the Steelers basically said, "Give us the GOAT." He reunited with Arthur Smith again. It’s funny how the NFL works. You spend a decade bouncing around just to end up back with the coach who finally figured out you’re a running back.
Breaking Down the Timeline
If you're looking for the specific "ink on paper" moments, here is the shorthand version of his career moves:
- Minnesota Vikings: Drafted April 25, 2013; Signed July 25, 2013.
- Oakland Raiders: Signed March 13, 2017.
- New England Patriots: Traded for on March 19, 2018.
- Chicago Bears: Signed March 13, 2019.
- Atlanta Falcons: Signed April 15, 2021; Re-signed March 22, 2022.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Signed March 26, 2024.
Why These Dates Matter for Fans
You've got to realize that Patterson's career isn't just about stats. It's about adaptability. Every time he joined a new team, he was fighting a "bust" label that people tried to pin on him because he wasn't a 1,000-yard receiver.
He didn't care. He just kept signing.
He holds the NFL record for kickoff return touchdowns (9). He's earned over $42 million in career cash. Not bad for a guy who "didn't have a position" for the first half of his career.
If you are tracking his legacy, look at the 2021 Falcons signing as the turning point. Before that, he was a specialist. After that, he was a weapon. The Steelers signing in 2024 represents the league acknowledging that even at 33 or 34, you can’t replace raw speed and veteran IQ.
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Actionable Insights for Following CP
If you're a fantasy manager or a jersey collector, keep these three things in mind regarding his current status:
- Check the Hybrid Role: In Pittsburgh, he's listed as a RB but often works as the primary KR. His value is tied to league-specific return yardage rules.
- Contract Security: His current Steelers deal runs through the end of the 2025 season. Unless there’s a surprise release, he’s a fixture in that locker room for another year.
- The "Joker" Label: Watch how Arthur Smith uses him in the red zone. He’s often used as a decoy to open up lanes for Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren.
Patterson’s career is a masterclass in staying relevant in a league that tries to churn through players every three years. He didn't just join teams; he made himself indispensable to them.